A
female
age
51-59,
anonymous
writes:Does anyone know any good websites for helping with anxiety and insomnia??I currently have real problems getting to sleep naturally (due to anxiety/panic attacks) and I worry it will affect my life/relationships! I have tried counselling/relaxation to no avail - has anybody had this and found a cure?? Reply to this Question
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female
reader, Angzw  +, writes (18 January 2010):
I was suffering from insomnia and anxiety for 3 years. On average I would fall asleep at about 3am and up at about 7am. I would toss and turn for hours but the exhaustion still wasnt enough to get me to sleep the next night. The only thing that worked for me was a two week prescription of sleep medication. My body clock had been messed up through the years of insomnia and when the problems that had triggered it were over, the bad habits remained. So visit your doctor and discuss this with him to see if this might be an option. Anti-anxiety medication in my opinion is potentially addictive so try avoid that.
A
female
reader, cupidette +, writes (18 January 2010):
Hi!
These are things that have helped me - so you might finf them useful :)
- Breathing exercise & visualisation:
Sit/stand comfortably with your back straight and imagine yourself as a tree rooted through your feet into the ground, your roots travelling deep to the core of the earth and wrapping themselves snuggly around it.
As you INHALE breath in white light earth energy in through your feet, through the centre of your body, out through your head into the branches reaching out tall to the universe.
As you EXHALE imagine white light energy being pulled back down from the universe through your branches, pushed through your body, all the way down through your feet, through the roots, back to the earth's core.
(Basically a calming technique that helps me removes stagnant fearful energy - physically, emotionally, spiritually).
- Drink LOTS & LOTS of water.
- Try and change your routine a little each day - from the silliest things eg. change the radio station you listen to, drink something different, do something spontaneous, say yes to things/invites.
- Every day write down 3 things that you're thankful for.
- When you're about to look in the mirror, tell yourself that you must find 3 things you love about the way you look BEFORE you notice anything that you don't like.
Hope you find some things that help - learning to slow myself down (breathing/meditation), focus (pay attention to what you are doing, notice the detail, appreciate what it is), be creative (if a new idea pops in my head, don't save it for later - go with it), and to drop all rules & definitions I've had in place for myself for ages (say yes more!), has really helped me.
Namaste x
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A
female
reader, Plexi  +, writes (18 January 2010):
 there are a few things you can try:
hot calming bath before bed helps
before going to bed try to go over your day backwards starting with the present moment
Chamomile and Valerian tea are very relaxing on the nerves
you can try essential oils in your room that induce a calm state of mind and sleep such as lavender or frankincense
avoid coffee of any caffeine products after 3pm
foods high in tryptophan such as milk, turkey, bananas enhance sleep
try deep breathing t o reduce anxiety
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (18 January 2010): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionThanks - I have tried CBT - but to no avail!
- I've had insomnia on and off nearly 20 years - but this time seems particularly bad for some reason!!
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reader, anonymous, writes (18 January 2010): I still suffer from anxiety but not insomnia as I usually get myself into such a state, I tire myself out and oversleep! There is some herbal remedy stuff from Boots which I found to be effective for anxiety. It comes in a purple carton and there is a hot chocolate drink in the range. It's not cheap but there is 7-tablet pack you can try for a week.
Good Luck!
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A
male
reader, Moviefan  +, writes (18 January 2010):
 I personally want this answered as well because im having similar problems. I will recommend however how i get to sleep. I found that tiring myself out right before bed does wonders, i actually went and bought Dance Dance Revolution to get myself to sleep after realizing that i can sleep better by getting some strenuous exercise first. I have some anxiety but mainly stress and my mind constantly going over things stops me from sleeping.
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reader, anonymous, writes (18 January 2010): I have been reading this book,"Who will die when you cry?" by Robin Sharma.It has really helped me.I hope it will help you too.
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A
female
reader, old-spinstah +, writes (18 January 2010):
I've had insomnia for years on and off. I've also had anxiety but I don't think mine was that bad. Never really found a cure but I have learned to live with it. Dunno if I should tell you all my coping strategies as I'm sure not all of them are healthy....
You say you've had counselling but have you ever tried therapy (such as CBT) How long have you had the problem for? When we first start trying to tackle problems like this, we want instant (or at least rapid) results and it doesn't happen with anxiety related problems. It was years after I finished therapy that I noticed exactly how much I got out of it.
Take care and hang in there
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